Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Psych 105 > Chapter 2 Methods > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Empiricism

A

The belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Scientific Method

A

A set of principles about the appropriate relationship between ideas and evidence.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Theory

A

A hypothetical explanation of a natural phenomenon.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Hypothesis.

A

A falsafiable prediction made by a theory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Rule of Parsimony for Theory

A

Find the simplest theory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

William Ockham

A

K.I.S.S.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Evidence never ___ theory.

A

Proves.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Empirical Method

A

A set of rules and techniques for observation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Operational Definition

A

A description of a property in concrete, measurable terms.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Two kinds of methods that help overcome the difficulty in studying humans:

A

Observataion, which determines what they do, and explanation, which determines why they do it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Good measures have three things:

A

Validity, reliability, and power.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Measure

A

A device that can detect the condition to which an operationl definition refers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

EMG

A

Electromyograph, a device that measures muscle contractions under the surface of a person’s skin.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Validity

A

The extent to which a measurement and a property are conceptually related.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Reliability

A

The tendency for a measure to produce the same measurement whenever it is used to measure the same thing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Power

A

The ability of a measure to detect the concrete conditions specified in the operational definition.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Demand Characteristics

A

Thse aspects of an observation; setting that cause people to bahave as they think they should.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Naturalistic Observation

A

A technique for gathering scientific information by unobtrusively observing people in their natural environments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Cover Stories

A

Misleading explanations that are meant to keep people from discerning the true purpose of of an observation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Filler Items

A

Pointless measures that are designed to mislead you about the true purpose of the observation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Expectations can influence ___ and ___.

A

Observations, reality.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Double Blind

A

An observation whose true purpose is hidden from both the observer and the person being observed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Frequency Distribution

A

A graphical representation of measurements arranged by the number of times each measurement was made.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Normal Distribution

A

A mathematically defined frequency distribution in which most measurements are concentrated around the middle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Mode
Most frequently occuring measurement.
26
Mean
Average of measurements.
27
Median
Middle memasurement.
28
Descriptive Statistics
Brief summary statements that capture essential information about frequency distribution.
29
Two types of descriptive statistics:
Central tendency and variability.
30
When a graph is positively skewed, the mean, median, and mode are shifted...
Left.
31
When a graph is negatively skewed, the mean, median, and mode are shifted...
Right.
32
Range
The value of the largest measurement in a frequency distribution minus the value of the smallest frequency.
33
Standard Deviation
A statistic that describes the average difference between the measurements in a frequency distribution and the mean of that distribution.
34
Scientific research aims to establish...
Causal relationships between properties.
35
Variable
A property whose value can vary across individuals or over time.
36
Correlation
Two variables are said to be correlated when variations in the value of one variable are synchronized with variation in the value of the other.
37
Positive Correlation
More-more or less-less.
38
Negative Correlation
More-less or less-more.
39
Correlation Coefficient
Measure of the direction and strength of a correlation.
40
Natural Correlation
A correlation observed in the world around us.
41
Third-Variable Correlation
The fact that two variables are correlated only because each is causally related to a third variable.
42
Matched Samples
A technique whereby the participants in two groups are identical in terms of a third variable.
43
Matched Pairs
A technique whereby each participant is identical to one other participant in terms of a third variable.
44
Third Variable Problem
The fact that a causal relationship between two variables cannot be infererred from the naturally occuring correlation between them because of the ever-present possibility of third-variable correlation.
45
Experiment
A technique for establishing the causal relationship between variables.
46
Experiments can eliminate differences by ___ and ___.
Manipulation and random assignment.
47
Manipulation
Creation of an artificial pattern of variation in a variable on irder to determine its causal powers.
48
Independent Variable
The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.
49
Experimental Group
The group of people who are treated in a particular way, as compated to the control group, in an experiment.
50
Control Group
The group of people who are not treated in the particular way that the experimental group is treated in an experiment.
51
Dependent Variable
The variable that is measured in a study.
52
Self-Selection
A problem that occus when anything about a person determines whether he or she will be included in the experimental or control group.
53
Random Assignment
A procedure that uses a random event to assign people to the experimental or control group.
54
Internal Validity
The characteristic of an experiment that establishes the causal relationship between variables.
55
External Validity
A property of an experiment in which the variables have been operationally defined in a normal, typical, or realistic way.
56
Population
The complete collection of participants who might possibly be measured.
57
Sample
The partial collection of people drawn from a population.
58
Case Method.
A method of gathering scientific knowledge by studying a single individual.
59
Random Sampling
A technique for chooseing participants that ensures that every member of a population has an equal chance of being included in the sample.
60
Informed Consent
A written agreement to participate in a study made by an adult who has been informed of all risks that participation may entail.
61
Debriefing
A verbal description of the true nature and purpose of the study.

Psych 105 (30 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions